Thunder’s Westbrook not worried about new contract

Russell Westbrook transformed from the most turnover-prone player in the NBA into an All-Star who helped lead his team to the conference finals.

Heading into his fourth season, he has positioned himself for a big payday. It’s just not the center of his focus right now.

Westbrook would be a restricted free agent at the end of the season if he doesn’t reach a new deal, meaning the Thunder would still have the right to match any offer he gets from another team.

“It’s not a distraction at all,” Westbrook said Tuesday at the team’s media day. “I’m looking forward to this year and looking forward to big things out of my team and my teammates.”

Westbrook was a second-team all-NBA selection last season when averaged 21.9 points and 8.2 assists—both good enough to place him in the top 15 in the league. He still was worst in the NBA with 3.9 turnovers per game, but all his positive plays overshadowed the negative.

“We love what Russell brings us. He’s a tough point guard. He’s one of the best in the league,” coach Scott Brooks said.

“He’s improved every year and that’s not going to change this year. I think he’s going to continue to get better. He’s 23 years old and the work that he puts in, the good attitude that he brings to the court, those are the two things that I worry about.”

Brooks said he doesn’t concern himself with Westbrook’s contract situation, leaving that part of the job to general manager Sam Presti.

Westbrook tried to brush aside questions about negotiations to his agent and refused to express any concern about getting a deal done before the season starts on Christmas or at any other particular point in the process.

When NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant first became eligible for an extension last offseason, Presti was waiting to talk to him just after midnight and offered him the maximum under the old collective bargaining agreement—five years and $85 million.

Westbrook’s extension would fall under the new CBA that was at the center of the lockout that delayed the start of the season.

“I’m not even worried about it,” Westbrook said. “I’m just going in and trying to play and trying to stay positive.”

Durant said he doesn’t feel as though he needs to recruit Westbrook and encourage him to stick around.

“He’s already on our team. I think he’s going to be on our team for a while, too,” Durant said. “He wants to stay here. That’s the vibe I get from him.

“Those are decisions you tell a guy just to make the decision on what he feels and what he believes in. I think that Russell is a guy that believes in team first and wants to be here in Oklahoma City. He loves the city, so we’ll see.”

Both of the team’s All-Stars said reports of a dispute between them during last year’s playoffs were simply a part of basketball and now it’s water under the bridge.

“People have got to understand that guys are not going to agree on every single thing that goes on in a long season,” Durant said. “Guys are going to get in arguments but at the same time, we understand each other and we know that we just want the best for each other.

“I’ve got his back 100 percent and he’s got my back 100 percent on that floor.”

Durant said the two bounce ideas off each other about how the Thunder can continue to improve “and I’m excited he’s on our team because he’s a freak of nature.”

“I just know that me and Kevin are very close,” Westbrook said. “We talk every day and communicate on what we need to do, and coming into this year, I don’t know what happened last year or what led to everybody saying that but I’m onto the new year and just looking forward to this year.”

Westbrook said his focus isn’t on improving his personal statistics or any other selfish goals.

“Just to make my team win,” he said. “That’s my personal goal is coming out every night and making sure the Thunder is winning at the end, at the buzzer.”

Nets assembling blockbuster Howard trade offer

Talks between the Orlando Magic and New Jersey Nets for a Dwight Howard blockbuster trade have gathered momentum over the past several days, and the framework of a possible four-team deal has taken shape, league source.

Front office sources say Nets general manager Billy King has aggressively pursued the necessary players and picks to try and satisfy Orlando’s demands for Howard, one of the league’s most dominating and popular players.

The biggest hurdle for the Nets to acquire Howard will still ultimately be the Magic’s willingness to give up their future with him and concede that re-signing him is a lost cause. Orlando could also decide to keep Howard until the trade deadline in March and re-evaluate the market for him. There’s still a belief within the Magic a successful season could help them keep Howard for the long-term.

Dwight Howard has requested a trade to the Nets, but the Magic could still keep him.(Getty Images)

No deal was imminent, but several league sources said talks were entering a crucial time, and the Nets were trying to get the proposal’s complex framework completed in the near future. Magic GM Otis Smith has been working with King on the possible deal. The Los Angeles Times reported the Magic also are involved in trade discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers.

New Jersey and Orlando are working toward a core deal that would send center Brook Lopezand another significant player obtained elsewhere to the Magic for Howard and Hedo Turkoglu,sources said.

[ Related: NBA free agency and transaction tracker ]

The Magic are listening, but there is still real doubt about their willingness to completely give up hope on convincing Howard to re-sign with them after he opts out of his contract in July. Howard has been willing to sign extensions with the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, but the Nets’ future in Brooklyn has been most intriguing to him.

Howard has been sold on the idea of pairing with Deron Williams in a new Brooklyn arena beginning in 2012-13, and informed Magic officials he wants a trade to New Jersey. Howard hasn’t rescinded his trade request to the Nets, but as one source close to him says: “He runs hot and cold. …He just doesn’t always know what he wants.”

While the Magic have engaged with the Nets, it’s still unclear if they’re motivated at all to trade Howard now. After all, the Nets deal for Lopez will always be there, so why rush into it? The Magic still believe with some team success this season, Howard can be swayed.

The Nets had been in the bidding for Nene, who agreed to re-sign with theDenver Nuggets on a five-year, $65 million deal with incentive bonuses.

The Nets are waiting on the Howard deal before trying to sign free agents. If they miss out on Howard, they’ll likely try to re-sign free-agent forwardKris Humphries to a one-year contract worth $8 million-$9 million, sources said. The Nets will likely try to limit any players they add in free agency to one-year deals if they don’t acquire Howard to preserve salary-cap space for Howard’s expected free agency this summer.

As the Nets hustle to try and cut a deal for Howard, the Dallas Mavericks continue to clear salary-cap space for the summer when they assuredly hope to make a play for Williams and Howard. Williams is a Dallas native, and the worst case for the Nets would be to watch him join Howard in signing with the Mavericks.

Denver Nuggets R-Sign NeNe Hilaro For 5 Years $67 Million

In some people’s eyes, center Nene Hilario was the big prize of free agency. The 6’11″, 26o lb center was said to be on the radar for a number of teams. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Denver Nuggets were able to retain their big man for the price tag of a five year, $67 million deal.

Nene was rumored to be highly pursued by the Nets and Heat, among others. Re-signing Nene gives the Nuggets a centerpiece and keeps some semblance of their surprise playoff roster from last season together, with key contributors J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin stuck in China for the time being.

Last season, Nene averaged 14.5 ppg and 7.6 rpg while leading the NBA in field goal percentage (.615). Retaining Nene adds to a busy Tuesday for the Nuggets in which the franchise was also able to acquire guard Rudy Fernandez and G/F Corey Brewer from the Mavericks for a 2016 2nd round draft pick.

Kendrick Perkins Loses 32 Pounds, Shows Up to Thunder Training Camp Looking Slim (Photo)

Kendrick Perkins, at 6-foot-10, is a tall guy. But after shedding some weight this offseason, he's suddenly a very slim guy, as well.

Perkins showed up to Thunder training camp looking much lighter than the 280 pounds he's listed at. According to the Oklahoma City Thunder's official Twitter page, the 27-year-old big man lost 32 pounds.

"I feel 100 percent right now, but gonna take it one day at a time," Perkins said.

The former Celtic was, of course, dealt to the Thunder prior to last season's trade deadline along with Nate Robinson for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, a 2012 first-round draft pick and cash. He then signed a four-year contract extension.

Perkins has always been know for his physical toughness in the paint, but his trimmed-down frame could allow him to get up and down the floor easier in the fast-paced Thunder offense. It should also help alleviate some of the pressure put on his knees, which he's sustained injuries to over the years.

Check out the slender Perkins in the photo below.

T-wolves trade former Marquette star to Thunder

MINNEAPOLIS The Minnesota Timberwolves continued to get their roster into shape Tuesday by winnowing the number of bodies on their crowded front line, and the numbers game sent Marquette Universitys No. 2 career scorer packing.The Timberwolves traded Lazar Hayward, who averaged 3.8 pionts and 1.7 rebounds in 10.0 minutes during 42 games for the Timberwolves last season, to Oklahoma City for a 2012 second round pick, a future conditional second round selection and guard Robert Vaden. Minnesota originally acquired the rights to Hayward, the 30th overall pick in the 2010 draft, from the Washington Wizards in a draft-day trade. His best game with the Wolves was during a 116-105 win on March 2, when he made 5 of 7 shots and scored a season-high 16 points.Hayward ranks fifth all-time in rebounds at Marquette

Report: Lakers sign F McRoberts to two-year deal

The Los Angeles Lakers and forward Josh McRoberts have agreed to a two-year deal, according to ESPNLosAngeles.com.Roberts, a former Duke standout, will reportedly earn a total of $6 million.

The Lakers also confirmed that they signed guard Gerald Green, a 2005 first-round pick of Boston
The 24-year-old McRoberts averaged 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds with the Indiana Pacers last season.
McRoberts will supply some much-needed size to a Lakers frontcourt that lost Lamar Odom via a trade and Derrick Caracter to a torn meniscus.
The Lakers have been actively engaged in trade talks, including a vetoed deal for Chris Paul, but have been unable to swing a trade.

Chris Wilcox, Keyon Dooling, Brandon Bass Comprise Trio of New Celtics Eager to Get Going in Boston

The Celtics had media day on Tuesday in Waltham, a day that is old hat for a core of valuable C's like Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Media day also presented a chance for an introduction for a trio of new Celtics, as Chris Wilcox, Keyon Dooling and Brandon Bass all met with the media to talk about their separate paths to Boston and what they can do to help get back to the promised land. Tuesday also marked Jeff Green's return to the practice court after sitting out with an undisclosed injury. Green sounds eager...

The Celtics had media day on Tuesday in Waltham, a day that is old hat for a core of valuable C's like Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

Media day also presented a chance for an introduction for a trio of new Celtics, as Chris Wilcox, Keyon Dooling and Brandon Bass all met with the media to talk about their separate paths to Boston and what they can do to help get back to the promised land.

Tuesday also marked Jeff Green's return to the practice court after sitting out with an undisclosed injury. Green sounds eager to make his mark in his first full season Celtic Green after signing a new contract with the team this weekend.

Jayme Parker was on hand for media day, and you can check it all out in the video above from NESN Daily.

Chris Paul To Lakers Trade Talks Resume

Just when you thought the Lakers deal was dead, they rear their powerful heads back into the CP3 mix. Apparently Pau Gasol becomes the main focus of the deal now that Lamar Odom has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The New Orleans Hornets are the only team in NBA history to be owned by the NBA, so the league definitely does not want to make a mistake by trading a franchise player like Chris Paul.

With the recent offer by the NBA-owned Hornets to the Clippers being rejected, then back on, the Lakers have re-emerged as a realistic possibility to attain CP3 in a deal. Pau Gasol works for the league and would be the centerpiece of the deal. The Hornets are demanding draft picks which the Lakers now have after the Odom trade this week.

Kobe Bryant was visably upset this week when his Lakers traded away Lamar Odom. His teammates were in agreement that it was a terrible deal for their franchise, receiving nothing in return. Now, the Lakers have an opportunity to land one of the premier point guards in the league, but it would be for the best big man and one of the league’s best in Pau Gasol.

If the Lakers lose Gasol, they can kiss their chances of a title away. That would indicate that the Lakers are completely confident in Andrew Bynum moving forward. That is almost comical. Bynum is a great talent, but his health has always been an issue. What makes the Lakers so confident in Bynum just so they can attain Chris Paul? Kobe Bryant is already their point guard, and Bryant has never won without a dominant center like Gasol of the finesse variety and Shaq with his dominance. I would retreat from this offer if I was the Lakers front office.

Follow Tony Piraro on Twitter @bballgurulive

MIAMI HEAT UNVEIL ALL-BLACK ALTERNATE JERSEY DURING MEDIA DAY (PHOTO)

During Monday’s media day session, the Miami Heat had LeBron James pose for photos while wearing the team’s all-new, all-black alternate jersey, and I must admit they are pretty snazzy if I do say so myself. In a way, it’s another big step in the transformation of the Miami Heat into the villains of the NBA, as one’s thoughts cannot help but turn to the original villains of the NFL — the Oakland Raiders — while looking at the new unis.

ESPN Rachel Nichols Interviews LeBron James about Finals and Villain Role

Video: Nike Ad for the Zoom Kobe VII

Kobe Bryant - Not About The Shoes, But Nike Says its the Shoes, So here is a before and after Video....Watch and you tell me if its the shoes or not?

                                 BEFORE........

                                   AFTER....

Under Armour, NBA Establish Multi-Year Partnership

Under the agreement, Under Armour can use NBA jerseys and marks to feature its endorsers—Brandon Jennings, Derrick Williams, Kemba Walker and Greivis Vasquez—in promotions, advertising and in-store executions. UA will also work with the NBA to refurbish five basketball courts in 2012.

Here’s more from Under Armour:

NEW YORK and BALTIMORE, Dec. 13, 2011 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Under Armour, Inc., a leading developer of branded performance apparel, footwear and accessories, today announced a multiyear partnership.

As part of this partnership, Under Armour will be able to feature its endorsers – which include Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks, Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Bobcats, and Greivis Vasquez of the Memphis Grizzlies – in official NBA uniforms to promote its basketball footwear in promotional campaigns, brand advertising, and at retail. Additionally, Under Armour and the NBA will team up to refurbish community basketball courts throughout the US.

“Partnering with the NBA allows us to showcase our innovative basketball footwear and roster of young, talented players through a platform that represents the pinnacle of the sport,” said Matt Mirchin, Senior Vice President, Global Sports Marketing, Under Armour. “We share a passion with the NBA to help young basketball players get better, and our joint court refurbishment program will create more access to functional basketball courts where the next generation can hone their skills.”

“Under Armour is a dynamic performance brand that is adept at capturing the imagination of athletes and sports fans alike,” said Mark Tatum, NBA Executive Vice President, Global Marketing Partnerships. “With its dedication to enhancing the athlete experience, Under Armour is an ideal fit to help us expand access to the game in a variety of communities through the refurbishment of basketball courts.”

[...]

An additional aspect of this new multiyear partnership is Under Armour’s commitment to refurbish five basketball courts in local communities. Through this refurbishment initiative, Under Armour will be able to reach the broad and passionate fan base of the NBA by supporting the game of basketball at a grassroots level. The court refurbishments will be undertaken with NBA FIT as part of the NBA Cares Community Caravan. Under Armour plans to refurbish an additional five basketball courts throughout the year.